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Contact: Matt Johnson, 786-335-3679 Contact: Chris Beers, 786-335-3674 HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – On Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 9 AM to 12 PM, Biscayne National Park is joining with communities throughout Miami-Dade County in support of Baynanza and the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day. As part of this event the park is hosting over 120 volunteers who are helping to restore Biscayne Bay, one of South Florida's most precious natural resources. "For the first time in years the park is expanding the cleanup area to include Boca Chita and Elliott Keys," said Park Ranger Chris Beers, who is coordinating the event for the park. "It is a wonderful and invigorating sight to see so many people who care about the park, wildlife and Biscayne Bay." Baynanza is an action-packed community wide celebration of environmental awareness and stewardship. Both the kickoff and grand finale of Baynanza will be held in Biscayne National Park this year. The event brings Biscayne National Park and Miami-Dade communities together to help keep beaches and waterways clean, safe, navigable and habitable for wildlife. It began 32 years ago as part of a monumental effort to save Biscayne Bay. The Bay was suffering from pollution and in steep decline. The Bay has improved since then. Last year nearly 6,000 volunteers at 23 locations throughout Miami-Dade County, removed more than 40 tons of garbage from the Bay. Cleanup sites in the park include Convoy Point, the mouth of Mowry Canal and various park keys. Homestead Bayfront Park, adjacent to the park, is hosting its own contingent of volunteers. Registration for volunteers has ended and the 23 locations hosting volunteers are full. Pre-registered volunteers are rewarded with t-shirts, the camaraderie of neighbors, and the satisfaction of preserving Biscayne Bay and all the life it supports. For more information about Baynanza and Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day, please visit the Miami-Dade County website at http://www.miamidade.gov/environment/baynanza.asp. For more information about Biscayne National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc, or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps. -NPS- About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015